About the College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Founded in 1990 as the Minnesota Institute of Acupuncture and Herbal Studies, the College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (CACM) provides an integrative approach to the learning of Chinese medicine.  Our degree programs are created to “bridge” the traditional Eastern philosophical teachings of Chinese medicine with current Western biomedical training.  This focus on bridging the two systems of medicine enable our students to approach their professional practice with a truly integrative perspective on health and wellness.

The College offers two graduate degree options, the Master of Acupuncture (M.Ac) and the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization (D.Ac).

The curriculum for the Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program provides more than 3,400 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in acupuncture, Chinese language, Chinese herbology, biomedical sciences, health care systems, advanced laboratory findings, professional development, and related studies.  The program takes just over three years of full-time enrollment to complete.  The doctoral degree program emphasizes the classic medical texts of traditional Chinese medicine and how to apply those concepts in a contemporary medical setting with a solid biomedical background. 

The curriculum for the Master of Acupuncture program is similar to the doctoral program; however, it does not include the herbal studies or advanced level training in integrative care.  The Master of Acupuncture includes more than 2,300 hours of instruction and takes two and two-thirds years of full-time enrollment to complete. 

Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine is to prepare a new generation of healers who will lead the advancement of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in the West. We will achieve this purpose by offering professional, graduate degree and advanced programs and by providing innovative clinical training that prepares our graduates for work in the health care environments of the future.

Programs of Study

NWHSU offers two graduate programs leading to the Master of Acupuncture and Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization degrees. 

The Doctor of Acupuncture with a Chinese Herbal Medicine Specialization program more than 3,000 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in acupuncture, biomedical clinical sciences, Chinese herbology, Chinese medical language, Chinese classical medical texts, and related studies. A full-time schedule allows students to complete the program under four calendar years (ten consecutive trimesters).  Students with a full-time schedule must complete the program within a maximum of 20 consecutive trimesters or 6 and 2/3 years from the date of matriculation.  Part-time schedules provides flexibility and lead to variability in completion times.  Students with a part-time schedule typically complete the program in 5-8 years.  Students on a part time schedule must complete the program within a maximum of 8 years.

The Master of Acupuncture program includes more than 2,300 hours of didactic and clinical instruction in acupuncture, biomedical clinical sciences, and related studies of instruction.  A full-time schedule allows students to complete the program in two and two-thirds calendar years (eight consecutive trimesters). Students with a full-time schedule must complete the program within a maximum of 16 consecutive trimesters or 5 and 1/3 years from the date of matriculation.  Part-time schedules provides flexibility and lead to variability in completion times.  Students with a part-time schedule typically complete the program in 3-7 years.  Students on a part-time schedule must complete the program within a maximum of 7 years.

You can also complete your Bachelor's Degree in Human Biology while completing either the M.Ac or D.Ac program at NWHSU. Click the link below for details.

B.S. in Human Biology for College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Students

Goals of the College of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine:

1. Build and maintain a team of experts skilled in their fields and capable of transmitting that skill to learners;
2. Provide accredited programs that meet national educational standards and reflect the college’s unique character as part of a multi-disciplinary university of health sciences;
3. Recruit a student body with the academic skills, maturity and personal commitment that will help them develop into competent and caring practitioners;
4. Maintain a learning environment and academic standards that will ensure that students acquire the knowledge, skills and attributes necessary for the practice of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in contemporary health care environments;
5. Provide clinical training in diverse environments that enables students to gain experience in the practical application of their knowledge and skills;
6. Support the ongoing educational needs of the acupuncture and Chinese medical community through continuing education and advanced programs;
7. Increase public awareness of acupuncture and Chinese medicine by providing community outreach programs and community-based clinical services;
8. To increase the utilization of acupuncture and Chinese medicine in integrative care environments and to provide leadership in the advancement of public health and safety.